TV: Trains, Boats, and Elmo
Trains go Choo — choo. I believe this fact alone makes it so children are naturally drawn to loving trains. My little one is no exception. My 1-year-old recognizes when he enters our den where the TV is, that if he makes the sound Choo — Choo, I will put on a video solely of trains. Not only does our 1-year-old recognize the sound a train makes, but he also knows that the videos come from our Amazon prime account. When I hover over the Amazon prime account on our Roku, I hear almost every time, our little one yelling Choo — Choo, Choo — Choo. It warms my heart, but shows me more into the workings of a 1-year-old. I won’t get into the psychology behind this, but the underlying theme I think is that trains to a 1-year-old are supercool, and he is curious and smart enough to know this.
When the coronavirus pandemic started in Massachusetts, and we were asked to limit the amount of public exposure we had to others, I started watching a commercial fishing and sustainability documentary called “Of the Sea” early in the morning with my son. We watched this in an effort to play something new other than train movies on Amazon, and I found that the 1-year-old also had an enjoyment watching large fishing boats steam out. As we consumed the 2 hour documentary over the course of 4 mornings, my son started mouthing the word “fish” when he saw the fishing boats and divers at the surface of the water. This showed me the adaptability of a 1-year-old in terms of learning new things, and adapting what they were seeing on television to what they were learning and enjoying.
Elmo. There I said it. The little red monster from Sesame Street, I’m sure most parents are familiar. I had no idea a small character from a TV show could be so engrossing for a child. I suppose I’m to blame for my son’s infatuation of Elmo, I started showing him videos of Sesame Street on Wednesdays during my 4 hour babysitting stint, while my wife was at work. 3 months later, a full infatuation with Elmo. Our close friend and middle school educator bought him an Elmo doll that talks when you touch his foot. Soon he could say the word Elmo, and he would do so while pointing at the TV hoping I would turn on Sesame Street or Elmo’s World. All of the sudden, trains were a thing of the past and Elmo took center stage. 2 mornings ago during the pandemic, he was up early, quite early around 4:30 AM. While lifting him from his crib, he pointed at me, then pointed at the door and started repeating the word “Elmo” over and over. This continued down the stairs into our den where the TV is. Nonetheless, I think the infatuation with Elmo has just begun.
So, my over-arching question (mostly rhetorical) is that of, is television bad for kids? I don’t know the answer to this question. I believe in the old adage, a little bit goes a long way. I hope I have not overdone my part in introducing my son to the television at a young age. Elmo is an example of how that might be true. I do think it’s interesting watching the development of a 1-year-old go from an interest in trains, to boats, to Elmo. I need to read more on the topic of how much digital entertainment is appropriate for a child my son’s age. I don’t want to over stimulate him this young to television and other screen-based entertainment, but it’s difficult with a child that is extremely curious and intelligent at the same time. His interest in TV is only growing as he ages, and it has me perplexed and somewhat worried me that this trend is seeming to increase and continue. Any replies or information that could help me as a parent are welcome below.
